Photo Coverage: The Pirate Queen Gypsy Robe Ceremony

Brian O'Brien was chosen as The Pirate Queen's winner of the Gypsy Robe.  O'Brien is in the ensemble of The Pirate Queen, which opened on April 5th at the Hilton Theatre.

The colorful Gypsy Robe, embellished with mementos from Broadway musicals, is presented to the cast member who has the most Broadway chorus credits. Curtains' David Eggers was the last performers to be chosen as the Gypsy Robe winner. O'Brien's other Broadway credits include Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, Steel Pier and Beauty and the Beast.

The Pirate Queen "combines classic storytelling with a sweeping score and joyous dancing to celebrate the real-life story of legendary Irish Chieftain Grace O'Malley: a compelling, inspiring heroine who led an extraordinary life as a pirate, chieftain, lover and mother in 16th Century Ireland.  To protect her people and save her one true love, O'Malley must confront the one woman more powerful than her…her fierce rival, Queen Elizabeth I of England," state press notes.  The show stars Block, Linda Balgord, Hadley Fraser, Jeff McCarthy, William Youmans and Marcus Chait.

The show, was written by: Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, and commissioned and produced by Moya Doherty and John McColgan, the producers of Riverdance. The new musical is directed by Tony Award-winner Frank Galati with musical staging by Graciela Daniele. The creative team also includes John Dempsey (Witches of Eastwick) who has co-written the lyrics; Richard Maltby, Jr., (Miss Saigon, co-lyricist; Ain't Misbehavin', conceived/direction), who worked with the writing team on book and lyrics. 

Visit www.CurtainsTheMusical.com for more information and tickets.

Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

Stephanie J. Block

Stephanie J. Block and Linda Balgord

Hadley Fraser

Hadley Fraser

Marcus Chait

Hadley Fraser and Marcus Chait

Hadley Fraser and Marcus Chait

Linda Balgord, John P. Connolly (Actors' Equity Executive Director), Jean Paul Richard and Mark Zimmerman (AEA President)

John P. Connolly, Jean Paul Richard and Mark Zimmerman

 
Brian O'Brien

Brian O'Brien and Lorin Latarro

Brian O'Brien and Lorin Latarro

Brian O'Brien with Hadley Fraser, Marcus Chait and cast

Brian O'Brien

Brian O'Brien

Claude-Michel Schönberg and Brian O'Brien

Claude-Michel Schönberg and Brian O'Brien

Stephanie J. Block, Linda Balgord, Marcus Chait, Brian O'Brien, John P. Connolly, Mark Zimmerman and Hadley Fraser

Marcus Chait and Brian O'Brien

Stephanie J. Block, Brian O'Brien and Linda Balgord

Stephanie J. Block, Brian O'Brien and Linda Balgord

Stephanie J. Block, Linda Balgord, Marcus Chait, Brian O'Brien and Hadley Fraser

Stephanie J. Block, Linda Balgord, Marcus Chait, Brian O'Brien and Hadley Fraser

As a 14 year old youth, Walter was transfixed by his first Broadway Show, the original production of 'GREASE'. His Journey to celebrity photojournalism began that fateful night. Meeting, photographing and getting to know the cast inspired him to spend his professional life doing what he loved. Walter moved to Manhattan and for a leading role as a Photographer & Photo Researcher. Currently headlining in New Jersey with his partner Richard and family members Dali (Jack Russell) & Gala (Schnoodle). Recently he made his Broadway debut sharing the stage with Hugh Jackman in 'Hugh Jackman on Broadway' as well as receiving the Actors' Equity Association Gypsy Spirit Award. Walter McBride Photography is syndicated worldwide by Corbis/AP.

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